120201-r7-youfraThe Franciscan Youths (YOUFRA) of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor: Feeling triumphant after giving their share to the community. Tree planting and clean up activities are one of the regular activities of these youth to help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change following their weekly formation at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor. (pia-siquijor/Rizalie Anding Calibo)

Central Visayas Region

PIA Press ReleaseSunday, January 29, 2012

Dumaguete’s Sinulog Festival contingent lands in Top 10

By Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 29 (PIA) -- A meager budget did not stop this year’s Sinulog Festival dancers from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental to dance their way into the Top 10 of the recently-concluded Sinulog festival in Cebu City.

Maquiling said this year’s ranking is a feat for the contingent with only a meager budget of roughly over half a million.

The city tourism officer admitted that a more colorful presentation would have been staged with a bigger budget.

“But considering that we just suffered from Typhoon Sendong, it would have been inappropriate for us to spend a lot on the props when there are lives that have to be taken cared of,” said Maquiling.

Dumaguete City was one of the ten local government units in the province badly hit by Typhoon Sendong on Dec. 17, 2011.

The city’s winning contingent this year was composed of students and out-of-school youths, some of whom were also victims of the floods brought by the storm.

Maquiling said the 360 dancers in the city’s contingent were not paid for their services as they joined the festival out of their love for Dumaguete and Sto. Niño.

“It was also a thanksgiving performance for them. They were dancing to honor Sto. Niño for saving them and their families’ lives, and for the influx of help that we received from Cebu and other provinces,” he said.

Maquiling said they are now excited for next year’s round of Sinulog festivities. “We can’t wait for next year because we know what to do now in order to give a better presentation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pakol Festival contingent from Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental also made it to the Top 5 in the Sinulog-based Category. (mbcn/RMN/PIA-Negros Oriental)